Shabby Cottage Shops are having Christmas in July

The shops of Shabby Cottage shops are having a whole lot of fun going on thru July. From July 10th until July 25th we are having a Christmas in July shopping experience like no other around. Each day a boutique will be offering a different item for sale and with it comes a free gift and shipping free on the item you bought and the free gift as well. They also will have new items for sale as well.


How can you not sit back and enjoy shopping and browsing the many stores each day to see who is the Secret Store of the day offering that One time item along with a free gift ? This is solid Fun Fun Fun... Each day someone different will be the boutique of that day, so you need to go to the shops on the list below every morning and find out if they are the Secret shop for that day. Don't forget to also look thru their other items on their shop and see all the gorgeous things they have made to sale and share with you during this fun shopping experience.

Make sure you get up early thru this Christmas in July shopping event Because each shop when its their day only have One Special item that day only, that comes with the Free Gift and the Free shipping on all of it. Go to http://www.shabbycottageshops.com/ and get there early each day at the following shops...

1. Lil Bit Old Lil Bit New

2. Celestina Marie Designs

3. Sassy Beach Jewelry Designs

4. Creations with Heart

5. Belle Inspiration

6. Debi Coules

7. Doggie Carriers ann More

8 . Sweethearts Nest

9. Holly and Glitter

10. The Ruffled Rose

11. The Shabby Crafter

12. My Secret Garden

13. 5 Dollar French Marche

14. Vintage Paris Market

15. Little Luxuries of Va

16. Tequila Bay Boutique

Karen from " A Shabby Moment in Time is having a gorgeous giveaway. Go and see her wonderful blog and follow her path in life.

She is so excited to be part of the wonderful world of blogging...meeting new friends, gaining ideas and inspiration. And now that she has reached 100 followers (well... a little over), She is THRILLED to the moon and back again. She says for reaching many followers and loves meeting new people in the blogging world. So to celebrate. she is hosting a giveaway of the items pictured on her site ~chair not inc. :o) They consist of a sweet print of the Eiffel Tower, a darling memories pillow, and a roses ruffled muslin drawstring bag straight from Katie's Rose Cottage Designs. She says she will also be tucking in one or two "little surprises" to the winner.
Again, as I mentioned go to her site, I have her ad banner on the right hand side of the page on top and become one of her newest followers.

Giveaway at Shabby fuf fu

What an awesome gorgeous giveaway she is having. I have seen it all , and this tops the cake. I have always been inspired when looking through her site to shop and just had to give her a shout out for such a wonderful giveaway. Make sure you check out her store for some lovely gifts. I hope you get inspired as well. Her friend Farnaz painted a special porcelain tea set with her trademark Pink Roses just for this giveaway, and it's not even one that is available on her website yet. This is a very talented lady that works with porcelain of all kinds. She paints beautifully on each one herself. Give them both a shout out and click to follow their dreams.

Proud Petite Giveaway

This is an AWESOME giveaway she is having and this is what she has to say about it... Go check her out. It's a really cool blog to get lost on for awhile and have some fun.

Giveaway!I like Spring. I like J.Crew. I like Coach. I like you. (Honestly didn't try to rhyme there... lol I know you don't believe me.) So why not a giveaway involving all four? I'd just like to say that I'm really so happy to have found the petite blogging community and I truly adore everyone I've "met". I know people say this a lot but you really are a kind and supportive bunch of women. Thank you for all your feedback, advice, wit, humour and generosity. I genuinely look forward to blogging the spring away with you all. :)Good luck! And don't fret, if you don't win this time I have another one of these babies to gift in a future giveaway. =) More photos, and a back story, to come! Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!
Prizes
1st Place Winner$100 J.Crew Gift Card
Coach 14887 Laora Ivory/Navy Leather Tote Bag (valued at $387)

2nd Place Winner
$50 J.Crew Gift Card
J.Crew Leather Studded Bracelet (valued at $22.50)

Go there by clicking on her ad banner on my side bar and get it on the fun..

Gotta get the house clean. Company's coming !!!

1. Have you ever testified in court? For what?

No I almost had to do it but I had to work so I couldn't. I do watch all the court cases on T.V. though and always giving my opinion while watching them. Love the Case File shows too.

2. Do you still have your wedding dress?

Yes I do. Have had it for years and don't know why because no one is going to ever wear it. Have tried thinking of something I can make out of it but haven't had the heart to cut it up. Or thought I would give it away to someone who can't afford one. I only paid 100 dollars for it so thought maybe I could make some pillows for my bed out of it.

3. Is there a special place you like to go when you're happy, sad, stressed, etc.?

Yes to all three... I love to go stroll thru antique stores when all of those emotions are going on. I love to window shop when I am sad or stressed. It brings my blood pressure way down when I am just taking my time and browsing. Then when I am HAPPY I love to go and browse so I can actually buy something.

4. If you have kids, do they sleep with you? If you don't have kids...will you let your kids sleep with you when/if you have them?

I let my 8 yr. old Granddaughter sleep with me when ever she wants to. I know it isn't going to always be that way so I go for it. lol

5. Do you watch late night TV?

I record it and then watch it when I have time with skipping all the commercials.

Thank God it's FRIDAY

1. Do you know what your REAL hair color is?
Yeppers, that would be black and I take pride in keeping it that way. LOL
Washing the grey out when I find the time.

2. Do you plan ahead for summer, or fly by the seat of your pants?
Plan some and then go with the flow. My BFF and I go to Leavenworth a little town in the mountains for the weekend every year in our own same ol' room we love. My sister is moving back home after many many many years living far away from all of us and I am so excited because we have so much catching up to do and many things planned. Like getting our scrapbooks started finally and making craft things together.

3. What is your favorite meal to cook?
Breaded pork chops with mashed potatoes and gravy and peas.

4. Do you get offended by not receiving thank yous?
Not really. I think so many people appreciate what you've done or bought them but don't always make the time to say Thank you and then when they have the time it probably seems to late to give one so they don't. I guess I realize how time flies and that people get busy in their lives. So My answers no I don't.

5. How did you meet your best friend?
I met her at a back care program that we both had to go to after our surgeries. We had to do classes on how to walk and bend and exercise together everyday. Some times we would get to go swimming down the road. It was the most painful thing each one of us has ever went through but we say to this day we would of never met if we never got sent there. So that makes us HAPPPYYYY...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME ME ME ME ME

First things First

It is my Birthday today and I am going to the movies with My Mom, 2 of my sisters, My Granddaughter, and my 9 year old niece. We are going to go see
" Big Mama Like Father Like Son ". We should have lots of laughs with that many of us altogether. Even if a movie isn't that funny it seems to be funnier when there is lots of people laughing at the same time. Then Saturday I am going to a fair grounds that has an antique mall going on with my BFF and spend the night at her house and stay up late and laugh and watch movies. Ok now to the questions for Friday. Have a good weekend to all my friends.


1. Have you worn the same outfit more than one day in a row?

Yep I am guilty of that one. I hate to say it but when I get a new top I sometimes do it. My 8 yr. old Granddaughter Hanna says she guilty of it too.

2. If you had to choose any LARGE city to live in, which would it be?
A city somewhere by New York. I have always wanted to go there. I haven't really been very many places to know where it would be I guess. I know I live in the Northwest and I love that we are close to the mountains, oceans, there are lots of green trees and lots of beauty all around me right now. It could rain a little less and that's about it. Hanna says Paris.. I had to laugh.. lol

3. Fly or drive with the kids on vacation?
Well I am scared of driving and more scared of flying but to get to Disneyland next year I will be flying there. It will take me 3 hours verses 3 days in the car.

4. What is your idea of "spring cleaning"?
I am saying I am spring cleaning all of the time. When I say it I am not just picking up. I am wiping down the cupboards, walls. Not just dusting but really polishing things. I wash curtains, rugs and the whole bit..

5. What is the best book you have ever read?

1. Tuesday's with Morrie and
2. The five people you will meet in Heaven, both written by Mitch Alborn

Happy Valentines Day Everyone...

1. Would you rather be on ABC's Extreme Home Make Over or TLC's What not to Wear?
This is so hard, but I would love to be on Extreme makeover show. I live in such a small house and need another bedroom and another bathroom bad. I wouldn't even care if it was as big as they make the houses. Just to have everything clean and organized to start over would be wonderful.

2. Do you have any tattoos? No but my 80 year old Mom wants to get a small one before she leaves this earth. LOL

3. Do you tell your kids about things you did growing up? Yes they pretty much know all of what I did. I don't think people should say certain things until they are grown and out of the house though. LOL

4. If the traffic signal turns yellow, do you stop or speed up? I don't drive but my Mom always stops. She to scared of getting a ticket.

5. What's your preference: chocolate or chips? That depends on my mood of course, but if I had to choose right now I would say chocolate.. YUMMO

Kath's Friday Question Fun

1. If you had $1,000 to donate to a charity, which would you choose?

I have two sites I have been watching on T.V. that I always tell myself that If I had money I would give to and its St. Jude's Children's research Hospital and the other one is the one on T.V. that they have children with their lips messed up and they operate and fix them like new. I think it's called Project Smile. It pulls at my heart every time I see it on T.V.

2. Snow days: Do you welcome them happily or are they a pain in your butt?

If I have lots to do in the house, I think they are a pain. If I have things caught up then it can be fun. LOL

3. What talent did you wish you had and why?

I always wanted to be able to sing well. I have always envied the people in church standing on stage singing so beautifully and I would love to do that. But, when I was a teenager I wanted to play the drums. I wanted to be a girl drummer. I never ever got them for Christmas when I asked and the faze went away in 3 years.

4. Are you a news, politics or celebrity gossip junkie?

Celebrity junkie. But, not the enquirer paper type junky. I do like the news as well.

5. What is your favorite "cocktail"? (Are you a beer person, a kiddie cocktail junkie, or perhaps your more the "Cosmo" kind?! Anything flies...doesn't hafta be alcoholic!)

I rarely drink at all but, when I do its always the same White Russian which is vodka and Kahlua with half and half and lots of ice. I used to love Pina Colada's when I was younger. When I am stressed out I do always say the remark " I need a drink ? even though I don't act on it. I like the meaning behind it. LOL

FRIDAY'S QUESTIONS

1. Where did you meet your spouse and did you instantly know it was love?

We met in Portland Oregon. We knew we had lots of the same values on life and that's what attracted us to each other I think. We were friends for awhile before getting together . We have been together for 17 years this year. Whoo Hoo
2. What is your favorite room in your house?

Oh that's a hard one. I love my bedroom and my Granddaughters bedroom. I have made my Granddaughter room Shabby and Chic looking, with a whole lotta vintage things in it. So I love coming in here and this is where my computer is so I am in here a lot. But, I am working on my room now and think I am going to love looking at the things in there as well. lol
3. Can you wiggle your ears?
No I can not wiggle my ears or my nose, or lift my eyebrows. Those are 3 things I have always wanted to do when I see someone do them. It's Amazing I think that they can do it..
4. What is your evening ritual?

After dinner and picking up the kitchen, I help my Granddaughter with her reading , spelling words, and math. Then we usually look for something on T.V. that's funny or fun to watch and we laugh a lot. I then figure out what she is wearing the next day to school and then go hunting the house for her shoes so they are ready with her outfit so we aren't looking the next day. Our dog Scooter takes off with them every evening and hides them so its a nightly ritual to find them.
5. How many hours of sleep do you need to function?

The older I get the less hours I need and for the last few years I sleep around 4 hours a night. But, for me to really function well and feel rested I like to have 5 hours. That's my favorite amount of time and I do get it once in awhile.

5 Question Friday... Don't forget to come back Monday for Blog Contest

1. If you could have any talent and turn it into an occupation, what would it be?
I think a cook would be the funnest thing for me. I love watching the cooking shows, that or a designer of homes.
2. Would you rather have a house at the beach or a cabin in the woods?
Oh for sure the BEACH the more I think about it. I would sit on a chair everynight and morning and watch the waves. It would be really relaxing.
3. Is there any meaning or reasoning for the names you chose for your child/children?
My daughters name is Ronda because her dads name is Ron, our son was named by my ex and he named him Jesse James. I agreed as long as I could call him J.J. and it never stuck with anyone in the family. LOL
4. What is your guilty pleasure? (I know we've done this one before, but I'm guessing people's "guilty pleasures" change frequently. At least, mine do!)
Shopping through antique stores.
5. Do you live in a house that is deep cleaned or straightened?
Straightened.. Well right now its a mess with family staying here in our 2 bedroom home. I am taking pictures of baskets full of coffee and stuff to put on my store and they are everywhere. Good thing my husband is working a lot this week or he'd be going crazy with the mess.

WINNER of My Contest

Sheri from the Mess thats in my mind is the winner of Oct's. Contest.

Thanks everyone who entered and New contest will Start Nov. 1st. I have lots more fun things to win and some fun to have. See you all on Friday for 5 question Friday. Kath'

5 Question Friday... Don't forget to leave comment for Octobers Blog contest..

1. Who is the better cook, you or your spouse?
Although my husband is a good cook, I think I am and he thinks he is. LOL
2. How often do you talk to your mom?
Oh my I talk to her a few times a day and spend 2 or 3 days a week doing something with her.
3. Are you adventurous in the kitchen or stick to the recipe?.
That depends on what I am making. If it's something new or fancy I want to make for dinner I get adventurous..
4. Is your second toe longer than your big toe?
I have always asked people this question so I can't wait to see how many have the second toe longer like me.. My second toe is longer than my big toe, and I have always been told that it means you are sexy and a good lover.. LOL
5. Do you dress up for Halloween? (Bonus question: What will you be this year?)
This year I don't plan on it. We only get 3 trick or treaters here at this house. I did dress up when I was in my 20's and 30's though.

5 Question Friday... Don't forget to leave comment for Octobers Blog contest..

1. What is your favorite Halloween candy?

I love smarties, malt balls, the gooey peanut butter kisses. I love all candy so there is no way I can just say one. Hello....

2. Do you fold your socks?

Yes, I turn them into each other.

3. What is something that you wish you had been warned about?

That its really hard to loose weight after age 30, so keep myself in shape more. It creeps on so slowly and takes forever to get it off.

4. What is the most significant difference between you and your significant other?

I love going where there are crowds of people having fun, and he hates crowds of any kind. I love to window shop, and he hates shopping unless its for something that has to do with fishing or hunting.

5. What are three words you would use to describe yourself? (And, just for fun...if your significant other is around, ask him/her what 3 words they would use to describe you!!)

He already left to work but I would have to say
1. caring, creative, compassionate....

Five Question Friday

First off I want to invite everyone to read my last 2 posts and enter the big giveaway, with a new prize being added each week. It's going on right now. More prizes to come before this contest is over. Have fun and Good Luck...
Really simple and fun contest.. 2 great prizes and more being added.. Whoo hoo

1. What do you listen to while driving?

I don't drive because it scares me to drive. I quit driving about 17 years ago because my car wasn't running right. Then it just became something I didn't do anymore as I was always with my Mom, Sister or friend. Now I panic to even think about it. I wish I never stopped doing it. One of my biggest regrets in live. When I am with my mom we listen to Joyce Meyers. Gotta love her, she is so positive.

2. What is your least favorite thing about Fall?

The Rain and cold. It always seems to rain on Halloween and my granddaughter doesn't want to stay out very long.

3. What does your dream house look like, inside and out?

It would be all one level as I don't like going up and down the stairs at all. It would have 4 bedrooms , mine being the largest with a fireplace, one of them for guest, also 3 bathrooms, again mine being the largest. It would have a swimming pool with hot tub out back and a nice big landscaped back yard. So we could have lots of people over for BBQ's and enough room to play volley ball and other games. Lots of pretty flowers that stayed nice without me having to do any work to them. A motor home and a golf cart parked in the garage with the whole above the garage area being a Mother in law home for my Mom to come stay when ever she wanted.

4. Would you ever own a minivan?

We own a van now and my husband drives it to work more than his truck. I love it. It's an older one but gets us to where we want to go.

5. Do you wash new clothes before wearing them?

No, I love wearing them off the rack for the first time. But I did see a show maybe on Oprah and they said that you should wash them. I love putting them on without having to iron them right off the bat.

New Prize added to the contest/ Pillow below is with this contest as well.

This is still the October contest. Here is what to do..

1. Leave a comment about why you enjoy blogging and something fun you have learnt along the way. Have you found an awesome recipe on a blog, you can send us to ? Is there a fun swap going on now ? Is there something that you want us to check out on your blog, or a friends blog ? Do you have a contest you want to mention ? What are you doing for Halloween ? Going to a Party or staying home watching how cute all the kids look that come to the door ?
I am having fun meeting new friends and learning where they are from, so for a second chance to win, Copy and Paste my " Grab my button" and put it on your blog and let your friends know to come join the fun, so I can put your name in the hat for a 2nd time.
I will be adding a prize each week to this contest so keep checking back and see what goodies have been added for the week. This is prize 2 and the pillow below is prize 1.

Here is a lovely Satin box of cards with embroidered flowers on the front, for you to keep handy or give as a gift to someone Special. I always love having cards handy for the times when an occasion comes up and you had forgotten or don't have the time to go to the store and pick up one in time.
This box is full of 30 Deluxe cards for all occasions with a Limited Edition Keepsake Box. You will receive ten different styles and there is 3 of each one of them. There is Birthday, Congratulations, Wedding, Get Well, Thank you , Sympathy, Thinking of You, and Blank ones as well.
They are all different flowers so there are lots to choose from. I hope you enjoy the added prize for this contest.

BLOG PARTY IS BACK.. WHOO HOOO

The sun has popped his head out once again in our neck of the woods and it has made me in the mood for a blog giveaway. This will be for October and there will be a new one in November and December as well.
I am getting excited that school has started which means the Holidays are around the bend. Yes, I said it Holidays. Can you believe it ? This is the first contest of the season. Have fun, tell all your friends to come join us for the chance to win some neat things.
Get your name in by doing the following ...............

1. Leave a comment about why you enjoy blogging and something fun you have learnt along the way. Have you found an awesome recipe on a blog, you can send us to ? Is there a fun swap going on now ? Is there something that you want us to check out on your blog, or a friends blog ? Do you have a contest you want to mention ? What are you doing for Halloween ? Going to a Party or staying home watching how cute all the kids look that come to the door ?

I am having fun meeting new friends and learning where they are from, so for a second chance to win, Copy and Paste my " Grab my button" and put it on your blog and let your friends know to come join the fun, so I can put your name in the hat for a 2nd time.

I will be adding a prize each week to this contest so keep checking back and see what goodies have been added for the week. I am starting this off with the first prize being a very beautiful pillow a friend of mine made. She does gorgeous work and it will look lovely on a chair or bed. It measures 18 in. by 12 in. with the ruffle. Do you have a friend that would love this or is it going to be for you ? You get to decide.
Have fun... Kath'

Long but OH so Funny !!!!!

A group of 15 year old girlfriends discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed upon that they should meet at the Dairy Queen next to the Ocean View restaurant because they only had $6.00 between them and Jimmy Johnson, that cute boy in Social Studies, lives on that street and they might see him and they can ride their bikes there.

10 years later, the group of 25 year old girlfriends discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed upon that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the beer was cheap, they had free snacks, the band was good, there was no cover and there were lots of cute guys.

10 years later, at 35 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed upon that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the cosmos were good, it was right near the gym and if they go late enough, there wouldn't be too many whiny little kids.

10 years later, at 45 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally, it was agreed upon that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the martinis were big, and the waiters there had tight pants and nice buns.

10 years later, at 55 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food there was reasonable, the wine list was good, they had windows that open in case of a hot flash, and fish is good for your cholesterol.

10 years later, at 65 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because lighting was good and they have an early bird special.

10 years later, at 75 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because food was not too spicy, the restaurant was handicapped accessible and they even had an elevator!

10 years later, at 85 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they had never been there before.

Heres a little trivia , How many did you know ?

These are things that I didn't know. And not many people know this...

1. Q: Why are many coin banks shaped like pigs?

A: Long ago, dishes and cookware in Europe were made of a dense orange clay called 'pygg'. When people saved coins in jars made of this clay, the jars became known as 'pygg banks.' When an English potter misunderstood the word, he made a bank that resembled a pig. And it caught on.

2. Q: Did you ever wonder why dimes, quarters and half dollars have notches, while pennies and nickels do not?

A: The US Mint began putting notches on the edges of coins containing gold and silver to discourage holders from shaving off small quantities of the precious metals. Dimes, quarters and half dollars are notched because they used to contain silver. Pennies and nickels aren't notched because the metals they contain are not valuable enough to shave.

3. Q: Why do men's clothes have buttons on the right while women's clothes have buttons on the left?

A: When buttons were invented, they were very expensive and worn primarily by the rich. Because wealthy women were dressed by maids, dressmakers put the buttons on the maid's right! Since most people are right-handed, it is easier to push buttons on the right through holes on the left. And that's where women's buttons have remained since.

4. Q. Why do X's at the end of a letter signify kisses?

A: In the Middle Ages, when many people were unable to read or write, documents were often signed using an X. Kissing the X represented an oath to fulfill obligations specified in the document. The X and the kiss eventually became synonymous.

Hi girlfriends,
I have been so busy with getting my house caught up the last few days. I had spent all of the last 2 weeks helping my daughter move her things into a storage so she and my Granddaughter could come and stay here until she gets herself caught up on things and save first, last and deposit for a new smaller rental.
Now that we have her things boxed up and the windows washed and rugs shampooed its getting down to business here. Sorry that I have been missing in action.
I also need prayer this week for my niece and kids as we just found out yesterday that my niece's boyfriend was shot and killed in Mexico. They say it was just a drive by shooting when he was walking home from the bakery. They had broke up 6 months ago and he went to go see relatives back home in Mexico where he was born and had a few family members living there. She has a 3 yr. old boy by him, and her daughter was raised by him for 7 years, he was her step daddy.
We need lots of prayers as we plan a memorial for him this weekend. They are burying him in Mexico tomorrow so we won't have the body, but she still wants everything to be the same at the memorial. She and her daughter both need prayer for peace and comfort. We also want the person who did this to be found. They are taking this hard as expected. Hearing something like this out of the blue. If I can count on my friends to pray for their guidance , I would appreciate it. They need prayer for comfort and peace as well.
I was going to have a contest this week as I have many new things to show you. I will be having that next week so come back and sign up for some prizes. Bless you all and Thanks for the prayers. Kath'